Southern California -- this just in

Whitney Houston memorial service begins in New Jersey

A week after Whitney Houston died in a Beverly Hills hotel room, her family and friends gathered Saturday in Newark, N.J., for an invitation-only service called a "home-going ceremony."

A number of Houston's celebrity friends were expected to perform in memory of the 48-year-old pop titan. The service, at New Hope Baptist Church, will also include her aunt, Dionne Warwick; her mentor and producer, Clive Davis; Alicia Keys; and Tyler Perry.

Houston's principal from the elementary school she attended was also invited. "How many people can say they were principal of Whitney Houston's elementary school?" Henry W. Hamilton told The Times.